Charles F Howard

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text.
Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book
(without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.
1859. Excerpt: ... However one may lament this wretched
affectation, yet there is no compulsion in the case. You can avoid
soiling your exquisite conscience very easily. But go no farther;
make no silly, indiscreet avowal against these things." And Gilbert
did not. But as the attachment with Mary was as strong as ever, and
in fact threatened to become public, Montagu altered his tack. He
found Gilbert loitering about the garden one morning after
breakfast, and thus he opened proceedings. "I saw your old friend,
Mr. Jasper, the other day, and he wished me to ask you if you would
come to some arrangement about those day-schools of yours. Of
course I did not know what to say, so I told him you would see him
upon the subject. Everything seems in confusion on your account. He
said he did not quite understand how to act, for as you had not
attended or shown the slightest interest in the matter for the last
month, he should be compelled to ask Mr. Tugwell, or some other
kind friend, to help him in his arduous task." "Well?" said
Gilbert, reddening. "Well, I thought it as well to tell you,
because the poor children are at present quite neglected, and are
running wild about the streets." "What nonsense. They have their
master as usual." "Ay, but you know what schoolmasters are. They
have lost that kind Mend, who used to tell them stories, and treat
them to buns on the Saturdays." "I don't know what tec do," said
Gilbert, perplexed. "Their clothes, poor children," continued
Montagu, affecting not to see the young man's distress, "are
getting shabby, and those who have had new ones are not fit to be
seen, for you know very well what attention the poor get paid to
them at the hands of tailors and contractors. Now, when you saw to
these matters, the lads were decently clad. You used to ...